Reinforcement for printing-plates.



v c. M. LETZ. REINFORCEMENT FOR PRINTING PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30, 1911.

1,076,046, Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

WITNESSES: lA/I/E/VTOR C OL UMHM RLANOGRAPH C0-. WASHINGTON, n. :4

CHARLES M. LETZ,

OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

REINFORCEMENT FOR PRINTING-PLATES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 30, 1911.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

Serial No. 652,044.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES M. Lurz, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Chicago, count-y of Cook, and State of lllinois, have invented a certain new and useful Reinforcement for Printing-Plates, of which the following is the specification.

My invention relates to that class of plates which are used for color work. In using plates of this character, it-is neces sary that the different plates retain their exact position in order that the color impressions may not run over one another.

The plates are held in position by means of a hook, but as the hook is narrower than the-plate itself, it frequently happens in a long run that the edge of the plate is crushed and sometimes to such an extent as to destroy a portion of the engraving. This results in the stopping of the press, removing the plate, cleaning out and filling up the broken portion with solder or other suitable metal, when the plate has to be returned to the press and reset.

It is a well known fact that the principal cost in printing is the work of setting up rather than the time consumed in running the impressions. Therefore, it is a fruitful source of expense in handling color and other similar plates.

My invention has for its object to provide a reinforcement which can be used on any plate of this character, and which will effectually remedy the above objectionable and expensive feature.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings,

which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of the back of a color plate provided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on the line :0 a: in Fig. 1, showing two securing hooks for holding the plate in the press. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modified form of reinforcement. Fig. 4 is a detail view, showing the side elevation of the reinforcement.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawings, 1 is the electrotype plate (and where the word electrotype is used I desire to be understood as referring to the plates of this character whether they are strictly electrotype, color, plates or other plates used for printing), which is provided with a suitable number of recesses 2, which may be machined out by an end mill or any other suitable method of forming recesses of this character. 3 is my reinforcement plate, which is prefer ably of relatively thin sheet metal, which is harder than the material forming the plate, but it must be sufiiciently thin to be slightly resilient. The reinforcement is provided with an in-turned lip l, which is formed to coincide with the edge of the hook 5, which serves to clamp the plate in position. The reinforcement 3 is slipped into the recess 2 and heat applied to it in any convenient manner so as to solder it securely to the plate. In some instances it may be found desirable to form a plurality of holes 6 in the reinforcement so as to insure the flow of the solder intermediate the reinforcement and the plate. It is obvious that this can be done without deviating from the spirit of my invention. The result of this operation is that the plate is provided with a firm grip for the hooks 5 and the plate can be used without the slightest danger of crushing, and when the work is finished the plate can be melted up and the reinforcement saved for use on other plates.

While I have described a specific form, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that my invention is not limited to any precise form, but any change made in the shape which produced a plate, whether it is strictly within the trade names of electrotype or color plate, which has a reinforcing portion forming a lamina of a material harder than the plate itself, would fall within the scope of my invention. 7

Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A new article of manufacture comprising a printing plate having a plurality of recesses formed in the back and edges thereof, reinforcements having lips which protect the edge of the plate mounted in said recesses, szpid reinforcements being formed of metal w lieh is harder than that {ermin 1 1r \r the plate and means to secure said reinforce CHARLES LL14 ments to the plate said reinforcements When Witnesses:

secured in position being flush with the back and edges of the printing plate.

In witness whereof I have signed the foregoing specification.

C. M. BAUMEISTER, K. DOLREY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

